Florida Marlins talking points: Cody Ross will be missed

Cody Ross is one of the good guys, one of those players who is at his locker after every game, win or lose, clutch hit or untimely strikeout, answering questions.

He is one of those players we in the media refer to as one our “go to guys.” Someone we can count on when we need a quote on a game, a trend, another player; any subject at all.

And that personality was a big reason why he will be missed so much off the field by his teammates, fans, other members of the Marlins organization and those of us who make a living by covering the sport.

I have been in the clubhouse several times after a player was traded. But I have never seen a teammate as shook up as Dan Uggla was when he learned his best friend was leaving after being claimed off waivers by the Giants late last week.

That’s the part of sports that gets overlooked. These players are human despite the fact they are put on a pedestal by the fans and earn more money in one year that most of us will see in a lifetime. Baseball players are around each other almost every day from mid-February until at least the beginning of October and friendships, many lasting a lifetime, are formed in clubhouses all across the league.

“He’s always going to be a phone call away but not to just text and go get lunch or go down the hall and knock on the door,” Uggla said. “It’s going to be tough.”

And even though Ross’ primary home in Scottsdale, Ariz., is minutes from the Giants’ spring training site and he told me earlier Sunday that he would like to play on the West Coast to be closer to his home, he, too, spoke in hushed tones as he reminisced about his five years in South Florida.

“I’m still in shock,” he said. “Part of me is really excited, another part is really sad because I’m leaving a group of guys I’ve been with going on five years now. I’m going to miss these guys dearly.

“We have emotions. You got a bunch of really good friends in here, a best friend. Sad day.”

Ross nodded Uggla’s way when he said “best friend.”

Miller earns another shot

Andrew Miller earned himself another start, which likely will be Saturday in New York, figuring Ricky Nolasco’s knee will keep him out much longer than one turn.

“We’re very pleased what he did today,” manager Edwin Rodriguez said. “He will be one of the guys in the rotation. If he keeps performing like that definitely he’s going to help us not only this year but for years to come.”

Miller pitched five innings in his 2010 big league debut Sunday, allowing just one run on three hits, all singles.

Miller threw 74 pitches. He certainly could have pitched another inning or two _ he averaged 99 pitches in his seven starts for Class AA Jacksonville _ if he had not been lifted for a pinch hitter in the fifth inning.

Ohman continues stellar work

Will Ohman, picked up on trade deadline day as the Marlins main situational left-hander, has proven to be a solid acquisition.

Ohman has allowed three hits and one run in his nine appearances, covering 6.2 innings. On Sunday, he entered with two outs and runners on first and second in the seventh inning of a tie game and struck out leadoff hitter Michael Bourn.